Posts from October 2011

October 31, 2011

Mary Abdelmassih from The Assyrian International News Agency has written a piece about a student who was murdered in Egypt by fellow classmates for wearing a cross. The student, Ayman Nabil Labib, was only 17 years old, and a Coptic Christian. Initial reports of the student's murder in the media have not told the truth about what really happened to Labib. Now the truth is out about the motivation to first harass Labib, which led to his early death.

Please pray for the parents of Ayman Nabil Labib as they deal with the sudden loss of their son, and for the Coptic Christians all over Egypt who have to deal with persecution on a daily basis.

Here is a short snip from the original AINA article:

Today the parents of the 17-year-old Christian student Ayman Nabil Labib, broke their silence, confirming that their son was murdered on October 16, in "cold blood because he refused to take off his crucifix as ordered by his Muslim teacher." Nabil Labib, the father, said in a taped video interview with Copts United NGO, that his son had a cross tattooed on his wrist as per Coptic tradition, as well as another cross which he wore under his clothes.

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According to Ayman's father, eyewitnesses told him that his son was not beaten up in the school yard as per the official story, but in the classroom. "They beat my son so much in the classroom that he fled to the lavatory on the ground floor, but they followed him and continued their assault. When one of the supervisors took him to his room, Ayman was still breathing. The ambulance transported him from there dead, one hour later."

The father said that everyone in Mallawi knew how the event took place, but not one of the students' parents was prepared to let their children come forward and give a statement to the police. "They are afraid of the school administration, which has lots of ways to harass the students, as well as being afraid of the families of the two Muslim killers."

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The governor of Minya, El-Rouby, visited the Coptic Bishop Dimitrious of Mallawi to extend his condolences, accompanied by representatives of Minya military authorities. He also suspended the school's headmaster and the two supervisors, as well as two social workers who were on duty when Ayman died, and referedg them to an investigation committee. But all of them have disappeared since then.

After the funeral service for Ayman, over 5000 Christians marched along the streets of Mallawi, denouncing the killing of a student whom they described as "Martyr of the Cross," and the repeated killings of Copts in Egypt.

With Christmas just around the corner, today I wanted to alert you to our current feature in our The Voice of the Martyrs bookstore. Our current feature is the new DVD called Jesus: He Lived Among Us.

Here's more information:

The new DVD Jesus: He Lived Among Us is being translated into 12 languages of hostile and restricted nations. This fresh take on Jesus' life will be used by evangelists to share the story of Jesus and his message and to encourage Christians in hostile and restricted nations. You can be a part of this exciting project by visiting http://www.thejesusmovie.com.

When you order your own copy of the DVD in English, you can enjoy extra features such as an interview with VOM director Tom White discussing the potential effects of this film.

On the road to Emmaus, the resurrected Savior walked with two disciples, talking with them about the recent events in Jerusalem. Though they did not recognize him, he talked with them about God’s plan for the Messiah. When they arrived at their town, Jesus acted as if he had to go further. Why? Didn’t he want to stay and continue the conversation?

To Piott, a Russian believer, Jesus’ actions showed politeness. He didn’t want to stay unless he was truly wanted. Piott had seen the Communists overrun his country. The police burst into people’s homes anytime they chose. Finally, a Christian shared with Piott the story of a Savior who knocked gently at his heart, waiting to be allowed in. Piott was impressed with this gentle Jesus and willingly opened the door. Jesus became Piott’s Savior and Lord.

Piott knew the meaning of conversion. He was changed. God sent him as a worker in the underground church. Here, he learned from the example of others. Growing Christians showed him how to develop his witness and exercise his faith. Soon, Piott made countless trips smuggling Christian literature into Russia. He grew more and more bold. He was driven to be not just a disciple, but to be a disciple maker, bringing others to Christ.

Finally, he was arrested and imprisoned. No one knows what happened to him.

Romanian pastor Richard Wurmbrand once said: “We should never stop at having won a soul for Christ. By this we have done only half the work. Every soul won for Christ must be made to be a soul winner. The Russians were not only converted, but they became ’ in the underground church. They were reckless and daring for Christ. . . . ” How does a person like Piott grow from being saved to saving others? Just as someone showed Piott how to become a Christian, someone showed him how to grow in his faith. People must be shown how to be more for Christ. Is your growing faith an example to others? God calls you to be a disciple as well as a disciple maker.

For Joseph, slavery, Potiphar’s wife and prison were not detours from God’s will for his life. In fact, they were God’s will for his life. They were the path to the palace. They were not in the way; they were the way.

Circumstances and the people around you are not your enemy. They are God’s servants placed there to sanctify you and take you to higher ground.

Chinese pastor Zhang Rongliang realizes this truth. Rongliang, a founder of one of China’s largest churches of over ten million members, is also one of China’s most prominent pastors. The Chinese government fears and despises him — or perhaps, they fear the way God uses him.

God uses this man wherever he goes. He was released last month after seven years and six months in prison, convicted for a crime that usually only receives a six-month sentence.

Two major things happened during this time. You see, Chinese Christians are not allowed to visit prisons or start prison outreach ministries. So Rongliang took advantage of this opportunity. He ministered to everyone he could – prisoners, prison guards and officials he could never have met outside prison. Over 5,000 men lived in prison with Liang, and many of them were able to hear the good news of Jesus Christ.

While Rongliang ministered inside the prison, outside the prison, people throughout the world acted. Thousands of people wrote letters, the U.S. State Department worked to secure his release, and China Aid Association ardently supported Liang while also trying to gain his freedom. Even more people — countless people — prayed for his release.

I keep reading and re-reading something Rongliang said in an interview after his release; I can’t seem to stomach it.

“I am happy that you and others tried to arrange for my release, but in one way, I am happy that you failed. You almost made a big mistake. If you had been successful, there would be no church in that prison today.”

As I sit and ponder, I ask myself, “Was it a mistake to pray for his release?” I struggle with this idea — questioning my intentions, but the Holy Sprit speaks the undeniable, “I have a better plan,” into my heart.

If what I thought was best had actually happened, China would be without a significant ministry inside one of its prisons today. A pastor might have fewer problems, but 5,000 Chinese prisoners would not.

I should not have been so close-minded to think that the only answer God had was release.

When we pray only for someone’s release, we pray for what we think is best. However, His plan often looks much different than ours. We must depend on God and pray for His plan to be fulfilled.

Our activism, the letters we write and the petitions we sign may not have the effects we have in mind, but it does strengthen the church. Before Rongliang was released, he knew that he was supported. In an interview with a VOM contact, he mentioned multiple times how much the West supported him through prayers and letters.

Perhaps, all our activity on the outside kept him alive on the inside. We don’t know what our actions are really doing for someone. We do not know how God uses our activism.

I am more determined than ever to live as an activist.

If God uses my prayers to reach 5,000 people versus one person, let it be. After all, He is sovereign. He knows what needs to happen much more than I do.

October 28, 2011

The following is compliments of our friends at China Aid. Please read about the update of blind legal activist Chen Guangcheng.

(Linyi, Shandong―Oct. 27, 2011) ChinaAid has learned the details of a brutal four-hour beating by local authorities of blind legal activist Chen Guangcheng and his wife, about whom there has been no reliable news for months.

The July beating, which was witnessed by the couple’s elementary school-age daughter, is but one episode in a pattern of horrific persecution against Chen because he had exposed the violent and deadly measures used by Chinese authorities to enforce the nation’s one-child policy. The couple endured a similarly brutal beating in February after they had smuggled out a videotape documenting the shocking conditions of their illegal house arrest following Chen’s release from prison. (See the ChinaAid report at http://www.chinaaid.org/2011/06/detained-blind-activist-chen-guangcheng.html.)

A reliable source told ChinaAid that the July beating occurred after a storm knocked out equipment that authorities had installed in Chen’s house to cut off all their telecommunications contact with the outside world. With the equipment disabled, Chen was able to make phone calls on July 25, but the calls were intercepted by authorities. On July 28, Shuanghou town mayor Zhang Jian led a group of people to Chen’s home and beat and tortured the couple for four hours.

On Oct. 17, Algerian authorities ordered the closure of a church in the country's second largest city because the church did not have a registration certificate, according to a VOM worker in the region. The 90-member House of Hope church in Oran runs several ministries in the Ain-Turck neighborhood, including a Bible school, a media studio, a safe house and a network of evangelists. When church representatives visited the state office to inquire about necessary documentation, no one could tell them what was required for church registration. After further inquiries, the minister of the interior told church representatives that he did not know who ordered the church to close. "It looks like an attempt from the authorities to test the church's reaction," said a VOM worker. "In Algeria, nothing is guaranteed, so we trust our Lord and move boldly." House of Hope is continuing its services. Pray for favor from the authorities as well as wisdom and perseverance for the church's leaders.

A Pakistani newspaper has reported that Asia Bibi was beaten by a prison guard earlier this month. The guard was reportedly suspended for three months, and a source told Compass Direct News that jail authorities pressured Asia and Ashiq to refrain from reporting the incident. Ashiq told VOM workers that jail management has been good to Asia. He reported that Asia said, "I am not horrified by this incident. God is with me; I have a Bible in my cell. I feel strong and protected." Asia, who received a death sentence last year after being convicted of blasphemy, has been kept in a high-security cell in Sheikhupura jail because of death threats against her. Continue to pray for Asia's safety, and pray for VOM staff and friends as they travel to Washington, D.C., in a few weeks to present a petition appealing for mercy in Asia's case.

A second Nigerian evangelist has been murdered by members of the Islamist group Boko Haram less than three months after the group killed a Maiduguri pastor and church secretary. Mark Ojunta, a 36-year-old evangelist from southern Nigeria, was working with Calvary Ministries (CAPRO) among the Kotoko people in northeastern Nigeria when he was shot on Aug. 27 in Maiduguri. CAPRO had evacuated all staff members working among the Shuwa Arab, Kotoko and Kanuri peoples after learning that they were on a Boko Haram hit list. But Ojunta had returned to teach a class after his family was evacuated. A CAPRO press statement stated that he died "as a martyr on his field among the Kotokos." Four days before his death, Ojunta reportedly declined an invitation to take a position at CAPRO's International office in London. He leaves behind his wife, Ema, and two young children. Pray for his family, CAPRO staff and all Christians in Nigeria.

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The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) is on November 13, 2011. Will you pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ? Visit http://www.persecution.com/idop to learn more.

In case you have missed the last two Persecution Podcasts that we've posted for you on our http://www.persecutionpodcast.com website, I wanted to nudge you in the direction of taking some time to listen to them.

On episode 88 of our Persecution Podcast you'll get to hear a powerful testimony from Pastor Daniel Scot who came to speak at the Voice of the Martyrs headquarters recently. You may click here to listen to this podcast.

Then on episode 89 of our Persecution Podcast you'll hear a wonderful update on Yubelina who was featured earlier this year on our monthly newsletter. Please click here to listen.

October 27, 2011

We would like to thank The Family Research Council and all of those involved in supporting the persecuted church and religious liberty, for their work on the subject of international religious liberty. Today on The Christian Post, Michael Gryboski covered the recent discussion that The Family Research Council presented on why United States policy is important in regards to religious liberty worldwide.

Gryboski wrote the following:

WASHINGTON – A panel of experts at an event sponsored by the Family Research Council Wednesday argued that the State Department has been failing to advance religious freedom abroad.

Farr, director of the Religious Freedom Project at the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs at Georgetown University, reasoned that there is a connection between religious intolerance and religious terrorism; if religious freedom is advanced, it will help decrease global terrorism.

"We have to make the case, especially to the State Department," said Farr, "that if we don't get religious freedom right in these countries they will fail."

To view the full press conference that the Family Research Council presented, please click here.

As most of you know we've been following the sad situation with Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani the last few weeks. The last time we reported on his situation we told you about how his case had been turned over to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who is supposed to be making the final decision about whether Pastor Youcef will live of die.

Now we have some new reports from our friends at Christian Solidarity Worldwide that Pastor Youcef and others have been given Islamic literature while he is in prison, which some say is a way that may be used to entrap him.

Katherine Weber at The Christian Post wrote the following concerning this situation:

The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) identifies two motives for providing Nadarkhani with literature; either to instigate a Christian response, which would result in an additional charge of blasphemy in court, or to convince him to recant his Christian faith.

“It is no surprise that security agents, who answer directly to the Supreme Leader, would try to either do away with the case or provide an alternative justification for continued punishment,” contends the ACLJ.

According to Dr. Khataza Gondwe, Team Leader for Africa and Middle East at Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), Christian prisoners who receive such literature have been advised to practice caution when responding to official interrogation pertaining to it.

Gondwe told The Christian Post that if prisoners read the literature and respond when interrogated, it must be “done very carefully because [the prisoners] may be open to further charges,” including blasphemy against Islam.

We would ask for your continued prayers for Pastor Youcef and his family. We pray the Lord's will be done, on earth as it is in heaven, and that He would use Pastor Youcef for His glory.

After teaching at a school in Maldives for two years, 30-year-old Indian Christian Shijo Kakkattu was deported on Oct. 14, 2011, after police found a Bible in his house, according to Compass Direct News. A co-worker reported Kakkattu to the National Administrative Center after finding Christian materials on a school computer.

According to Minivan News, an independent news agency based in Maldives, Kakkattu accidentally transferred material from his flash drive onto the school’s computer. Mohamed Shiraj, the principal of Raafainu School in Raa Atool, told Minivan News, “The videos were in Indian, so I don’t know what they were saying, but the images were Christian.”

Police raided Kakkattu’s house and discovered a Bible and other Christian materials. They then charged him with preaching the Christian faith in the Muslim nation of Maldives, which recently tightened restrictions on preaching and practicing non-Islamic faiths. Police took Kakkattu to another island for interrogation and held him for 15 days before deporting him back to India.

Last month, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs published new regulations under the Protection of Religious Unity Act of 1994. Anything that represents a religion other than Islam is strictly prohibited, according to Compass Direct News. Web sites, blogs, newspapers and magazines are forbidden from publishing anything contradictory to Islam. Violators face two to five years in prison, house arrest or banishment. As in Kakkattu’s case, foreigners accused of proselytizing will be deported.